CRIMINAL -- Netflix

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Dana Jean

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Apr 11, 2006
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This is a very interesting format of shows.

There are 4 different seasons of Criminal with 3 episodes per season. Each of the seasons are from a different country. Spain, Germany, France and the U.K.

What was very creative about this is every single season, every single country used the same set. You are in the same police station every time. The only thing that lets you know that this is a totally different country is the language. So I recommended you keep the language as is and turn on Subtitles/closed captioning. Listening and watching these actors in their native language is part of what makes this unique.

Another thing that clues you that you are in another country is what is in the vending machines. They very cleverly work a view of the vending machine contents into at least one of the stories each season and we see those snacks change. It's very subtle and most people wouldn't pay attention to that, but I did and loved the little nod to another culture and their snacks. Of course, some snacks cross all boundaries, but then there were some very unique things that were fun.

There are strong stories and weak in each season, but totally worth your time.
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
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Apr 11, 2006
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The one about the truck driver is particularly current -- I'd say "ripped from the headlines" but the episode came first.
Most of them had a twist, and I was pretty spot on with the twist except for a couple. There was a twist on the twist.

I enjoyed this. I'd like them to do some other countries. Quick little stories where we never get too far from that interrogation room.
 

Bev Vincent

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Apr 11, 2006
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Most of them had a twist, and I was pretty spot on with the twist except for a couple. There was a twist on the twist.

I enjoyed this. I'd like them to do some other countries. Quick little stories where we never get too far from that interrogation room.

And each of them have some sort of interpersonal drama going on outside the interrogation room, too, separate from the cases.
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
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And each of them have some sort of interpersonal drama going on outside the interrogation room, too, separate from the cases.
Exactly. We had some cliff hanger type situations at the end of... at least one season that I can remember right off hand. Dang, I think it was Germany's ending, the girl in the elevator.

Of course, the creators owe us nothing more than that last image and we are left to fill in the blanks. On one hand, fabulous. On the other, as is human nature, we want those blanks filled in and answers given! What the hell happened after those doors close?